Comments

My guess is that some expensive and highly-paid West Ham employees will be less than happy after Bilic selects his starting XI. I'm hoping that his old method of selection - "who did we pay most for? who are the biggest earners?" - will be replaced by "who is in form?" and "who suits this team?" (Obviously I'm stretching it a bit, but that's the impression I've had this year.) Palace will be looking to bounce back again, so it could be a cracking game.

I know Adrian made some good saves against Spurs, but I really can't see Bilic starting him, and tbh, I am firmly in the "Joe Hart is better" camp. I would be very surprised to see the same XI, or even as many of 7/8 of them starting on the weekend.

I know Adrian made some good saves against Spurs, but I really can't see Bilic starting him, and tbh, I am firmly in the "Joe Hart is better" camp. I would be very surprised to see the same XI, or even as many of 7/8 of them starting on the weekend.

But on his form this season, or even the last few, do you think he's shown he's better than Adrian? I don't think so. Adrian had a bad start to last season and was deservedly dropped but has been fine otherwise. I also think there's a sort of motivational factor to Adrian making great saves even if Hart, you might argue, doesn't have to make them because he's a more measured performer.

I think Adrian will come in and the formation will surely remain the same. It's one way for Bilic to stamp his authority because the formation that works requires a lot of our most expensive players to either work for the team or sit out. I think there are naturally going to be a few changes though because that back line clearly isn't first-choice (and didn't do so well either).

I think Adrian, Rice, Noble and Ayew were the players who made their claim to stay in the team.

Rather worrying - as far as our transfer policy is concerned - that last night's performance came without any of our new signings, and only one of last season's signings (ignoring Arnie's few minutes at the end).

Think we need to stick with as many as possible from last night. I would be tempted to bring back Reid, as in Alderz favoured back three (Reid-Rice-Ogbonna), but would like Kouyate to have at least the first half, and would rather replace Fernandes with Obiang than Kouyate in midfield. So:

Adrian

Kouyate*-Rice-Ogbonna

Zabaleta-Nobes-Obiang-Lanzini-Cresswell**

Ayew-Chicharito***

* Kouyate to be swapped for Reid if he can't control his needless fouling in the first half.

** Cresswell to be swapped for Masuaku if he hits his first two crosses into the RB.

*** Sakho to start if he's fit and in the right frame of mind. AC to come on if we feel we need his defensive heading qualities, which has been the best thing he's brought to the team recently.

I don't think Hart has done so much wrong that he deserves to be dropped. I just think it was a mistake to sign him and that Adrian is both good enough to start and better for team morale.

I also think Hart should return. I don’t think Adrian saved anything last night that he shouldn’t have, or that Hart wouldn’t have saved, and I still feel Adrian is an erratic decision away from catastrophe.

Bear in mind that Antonio played most of the Brighton match in great pain after his rib injury that kept him out yesterday. So cut him some slack. But not sure to what extent he will have recovered and trained sufficiently for Saturday. I'm using the doubt to avoid putting him back in my line-up - otherwise I'd face the tricky question of whether to drop Zabaleta. I'd certainly play Zaba over Byram, though, as I don't think Byram was much cop last night, even though he did throw himself about towards the end and got in some useful blocks. But going forward offered little.

Lawro has us for a 1-1 draw at palace. Well, he will have to eat humble pie if the teams spirits of the second half at Spurs resurfaces.

It is hard to change a winning team but EPL is a team/squad game and you need horses for courses. I think Zaha will torment Zabaleta which is a good players but lacks pace. We also need pace. I think Adrian is better goalie than Hart and Rice did well in the second half once the defenders sorted out things. So would like to keep him in the team. In the second half at Tottenham Ayew was playing ahead of Carroll and hence could get behind the opposing defence. so same would be needed again as Ayew has pace compared to Carroll,

Not sure of the injury or fatigue position but if all is well my choice will be

I see we are wearing our 3rd kit tomorrow...It's a bit ;hmm IMOBut whatever kit if they can repeat the scoreline at Wembley I'll be all ;wahoo;scarfOnly injury doubt is Antonio, for me he shouldn't start then, not worth risk and let players from Wednesday continue..

There is a lot up for debate though. Fonte has generally been good. Kouyate maybe should play although I think he's struggled this season. Zab has been the only man trying in some games this season but I don't like him as a wing back. Don't like Antonio as a wing back either. Masuaku looks great from the bench but didn't take his chance starting last week. Lots of tough decisions.

My only 2 changes to ur line up Eski would be Cheikh for Rice & AC for Antonio ;okHarsh on Fonte , but a way to play both Cheikh & Obiang... ;hmm now not sure about Fonte / Cheikh , out of his preferred position....

Whatever you think of Adrian I don’t think he deserved to lose the spot immediately at the start of the season. He lost his place to Randolph last season and had to patiently wait to get it back. Then he did and we kept a lot of clean sheets and other than losing 0-4 to Liverpool we took a lot of points from our last batch of games.

To then just lose his place on the ‘reputation’ of Hart was very unfair, even if you think Hart is the naturally better keeper. It was Adrian’s place to lose. Tbh I would’ve expected Hart to have saved more of the goals that have gone in, given his quality. Not to say any of the goals have been bad errors, but I expect an upgraded and big name keeper to save more of those shots which lesser keepers wouldn’t. I think he should’ve done better with a few of the goals we have let it. Not to say they are glaring gaffes, but if he can’t save them then what was the point in upgrading?

I didn't listen to the whole presser, but the transcript (maybe only partial) didn't even mention Sakho. Slav said Antonio would be training after his bruised rib and they'd see how he was, and that Collins was the only one out. Looks like Sakho's out of the picture, which is very disappointing.